Roulette is an easy and fun game to play. It relies more on luck than on skill. Since its origin in France in the 18th century, the game has undergone many changes and many variants have emerged. This page will cover the three main roulette variants and some of the roulette variants offered online.
Types of Roulette layouts
Roulette wheel layouts can be found in different forms. They share similarities but slight differences which affect the gameplay and the payout of each variant.
European Roulette
The European Roulette table layout is distinguished by its single green zero. The table layout is very easy to use and the betting grid is self-explanatory.
The single zero numbers make European Roulette one of the roulette variants with the best odds.
American Roulette
The American Roulette version was designed in the U.S. It features a zero pocket and a double zero pocket, which increases its house edge to 5.26% and reduces the odds of winning.
French Roulette
French Roulette uses the same table layout as the European variant. The only difference is the sum of the betting options on the betting table. The French Roulette betting options have fewer betting options.
Roulette Variants’ Bets and Odds
Take a look at the table below. You’ll notice that the bets and odds for each roulette variant are slightly different.
| Name | RTP | Number of types of bets |
|---|---|---|
| Mini Roulette | 96.15% | 12 |
| Multi-wheel Roulette | 97.30% | 10 |
| Double Ball Roulette | 97.30% | 10 |
| Triple Bonus Spin Roulette | 98.11% | 17 |
| Lightning Roulette | 97.30% | 12 |
| Roulette Royale | 98.65% | 15 |
| Astro Roulette | 97.3% | 12 |
| Double Action Roulette | 97.30% | 12 |
| Age of the Gods Roulette | 94.74% | 13 |
| Pinball Roulette | 97.30% | 10 |
| Key Bet Roulette | 94.74% | 13 |
| Slingshot Roulette | 97.30% | 10 |
Mini Roulette
As the name implies, mini roulette is played on a 13-number wheel instead of the standard 37-number wheel for European and 38 for American Wheel. It’s a good option for players who find the number of bet options in standard roulette overwhelming.
Multi-Wheel Roulette
In this kind of roulette, you play using multiple wheels simultaneously but you only place your bets on one table. The number of wheels you play will multiply your stake accordingly. For example, if your stake is $1 on red in an 8-wheel spin, your total bet will be $8.00.
Double Ball Roulette
The double ball is a game that looks super stylish and sticks to European rules. It’s a variant of the standard casino game which uses two balls instead of one. The balls spin simultaneously on the same wheel.
Triple Bonus Spin Roulette
This game has a new design that is different from American and European Roulette as it features an extra Yellow bonus pocket. The game has a special Triple Bonus feature that allows you to earn an extra triple free spin bonus when you place a wager on it and it wins.
Lightning Roulette
In Lightning roulette, players can place bets the same way they would on any standard roulette game. However, they also get additional chances of winning through randomly generated lucky numbers and payouts.
Roulette Royale
Roulette Royale is a classic and luxurious game. It offers players three betting limits – standard, high roller, and VIP- a great way to manage your bankroll.
Astro Roulette
In this version, you’ll see zodiac symbols instead of numbers. The game uses an unconventional roulette table and a modified roulette wheel. Players bet on the symbol the ball will land after spinning
Double Action Roulette
There are two rings of numbers in Double Action Roulette – an inner and an outer. When betting, players can place bets on both rings if they wish. The layout consists of two identical 6 by 6 grids.
Age of the Gods Roulette
The Age of the Gods Roulette has 36 numbers with an addition of the special Age of the Gods bonus position. The table has an eye-appealing look as the game’s backdrop is covered in an array of colorful Gods and goddesses.
Pinball Roulette
In Pinball Roulette, the numbers are displayed on an animation that resembles a Pinball machine. Instead of spinning, the ball drops from the top of the screen and bounces back up until it lands on the moving ball wells.
Key Bet Roulette
In Key Bet Roulette, the betting table is standard but with an additional racetrack for neighbors’ bets. Players can as well place bets on the wheel itself.
Slingshot Roulette
A version to play with measures as the roulette wheel has several shot glasses around the edge of the wheel. Each glass has numbers that correspond with the numbers on the wheel. To play the game, each player takes a turn spinning the wheel and gets to drink the contents of the respective glass.
Which Roulette version should you choose?
There are plenty of roulette variants available in the best US online casinos. But your choice of roulette type should be determined by each variant’s rules, odds, bets, and payouts. For starters, choose roulette games with higher RTP for bigger theoretical rewards. In this case, European and French Roulette. For a good roulette strategy, set a bankroll, and stick to it.
Most Profitable Roulette Variants
Return to Player (RTP), is a figure that represents the amount of money a player can expect to win from their bets in casino games. So for a game with an RTP of 95%, you can expect to receive $0.95 back for every $1 you bet. The most profitable roulette variants would be the ones with higher RTP percentages such as:
- French Roulette
- European Roulette
- Multi- wheel Roulette
- Lightning Roulette
- Double ball Roulette
Roulette Variants with the Lowest House Edge
House edge is what makes casinos their profits. In roulette, it ranges from 1.35% to 5.26%. Here are some variants with the lowest house edge:
- French Roulette
- European Roulette
- Triple Bonus Spin Roulette
Roulette Variants that payout the most
Depending on the type of roulette, payouts can be higher in some types than in others. The following are roulette variants that payout the most:
- Triple spin Roulette
- Age of the Gods
- Key Bet Roulette
- Double Ball Roulette
Best Roulette Variant According to my Level of Play
It takes seconds to learn how to play roulette, but the classic game has hidden depths if you decide to look beyond the reds and the blacks. Different types of roulette have different rules, odds, and strategies. Let’s explore the best roulette for beginners and for advanced players:
The best Roulette Variant for Beginners
If you’re new to roulette, start with types of roulette with easier-to-understand rules. These are the best variants to try for a newbie:
- Mini-Roulette
- Astro Roulette
- European Roulette
Roulette Variants for Advanced Players
Mastered the basics? Go ahead and try more complex types of roulette:
- Triple spin Roulette
- Key Bet Roulette
- French Roulette
Roulette Variations you should avoid
To help you and protect your bankroll, let’s go through three roulette variants you’re better off avoiding:
- American Roulette – Although almost every casino offers this version, try to ignore it. The presence of the double zero pocket increases the house edge to 5.26%, reducing the winning odds.
- Mini Roulette – With 12 numbers and one zero, this version may give a better chance of winning. But when Zero comes up, all the bets are half-paid. This translates to a house edge of 3.85%; a bit higher than the European Roulette. Stay away from betting on the zero.
- Bonus Roulette – Bonus Roulette allows players to make ‘side bets’, which are bets on the side of the main bets. These bets, though, have a lower payout rate and benefit the casino more than the player.
Final Roulette Evaluation
Roulette variants let players explore the different options available when playing the game online or in land-based casinos. As the odds and payouts are slightly different from each other, take some time to understand them to help you determine which variant suits you more as a player.
Frequently Asked Questions
